20 Great Hearted Alumni Return to Teach

“You can have the best curriculum, most beautiful school building, and smartest Head of School, but the teacher is at the center of the work. If human education is what we do, the human at the front of the room is the most important thing to solve for. You can only teach from who you are. From what you love. From what has formed you. Your students will study many things, but most of all, they study you.” That was the message shared during New Faculty Orientation from Jerilyn Olson, Chief People Officer at Great Hearts Academies.

As Great Hearts enters its 23rd year in operation, we’re seeing an influx of Great Hearts graduates who are returning to their alma mater or a sister Great Hearts Academy to teach in the tradition that will form critical, curious, and courageous thinkers of the next generation. Some are coming in bright eyed, straight out of college and ready to flex their classical education  chops, while others are returning after working in other sectors, ready to return to the foundation that formed their minds and hearts as young scholars. 20 alumni in total from academies across Great Hearts Arizona are preparing to step into their classrooms when the new school year begins.

Julia Gillingham, the Director of Human Resources, adds that educators are the model of what it means to be a curious learner with a great heart. “Who better to fulfill that role than the young men and women who have completed a Great Hearts education? As they move into leading their own classrooms, they will teach from a place of understanding, having walked the paths their students now tread. They will draw not only from their academic learning, but also from their experiences of growing in community and wisdom.”

Isabella Krob has returned to teach 11^th grade Humane Letters and 12^th grade Drama at Chandler Prep, the same academy that she graduated from in 2022. Krob attended Hillsdale College, but Great Hearts remained a part of her life, returning during her breaks at in college to work for both the professional development department and the human resources team at Great Hearts. “It’s surreal insofar as I was fairly sure that teaching here was always going to happen,” she shared. Krob has also returned to Chandler Prep since graduating for alumni panels that she has participated in. “I really care about what the school and what Great Hearts does… Chandler Prep wanted me back, and I want to be back, so I feel very humbled and very blessed.”

Kenneth Wood’s path back to Great Hearts came about after an unexpected turn in his career. “I played professional basketball overseas in Luxembourg, and that was a lot of fun, and unfortunately, I got hurt.” When Wood returned, this 2018 Anthem Prep graduate began coaching basketball at Veritas Prep. He will now be serving Archway Glendale as a P.E. teacher. “I’ve always thought Great Hearts is the best. I’ve told everybody, I’ve learned more in Great Hearts than I did in college.” Wood said he has realized the significant difference the classical education he received has truly impacted his life so far and will continue to impact him as he takes part in the human formation of his students.

“Our graduates can do anything. More than 50% pursue education in S.T.E.M. fields, and they are accepted into highly selective colleges with millions of dollars in scholarship awards,” shared Gillingham. “For 20 alumni to choose to return, participate, and further the mission that helped shape them is a powerful testament to the lasting impact of a Great Hearts education.

Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.

Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.